Red ginseng oil promotes hair growth and protects skin against UVC radiation

Abstract

Background A wide range of environmental factors, such as diseases, nutritional deficiencies, ageing, hormonal imbalances, stress, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, may affect the structure and function of the skin that covers the entire surface of the human body. In this study, we investigated roles of red ginseng oil (RGO) in enhancing skin functions, including hair growth and skin protection, using mouse models. Methods For hair growth experiment, shaved dorsal skins of C57BL/6 mice were topically applied with vehicle, RGO, RGO's major compounds, or minoxidil for consecutive 21 days and skin tissues were examined the hair growth promoting capacity. For skin protection experiment, SKH-1 hairless mice were topically applied with vehicle or RGO twice a day for three days prior to exposure to UVC radiation at 20 kJ/cm 2 . Skin tissues were collected to evaluate skin protective effects of RGO. Results Topical application of RGO to C57BL/6 mice effectively promoted hair regeneration by inducing early telogen-to-anagen transition and significantly increasing the density and bulb diameter of hair follicles. Major compounds, including linoleic acids and β-sitosterol, contributed to RGO-promoted hair growth. Treatment with RGO as well as its major components upregulated expression of hair growth–related proteins. Furthermore, in SKH-1 hairless mice, RGO had a protective effect against UVC-induced skin damage by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis, as well as inducing cytoprotective systems. Conclusion These data suggest that RGO may be a potent agent for improving skin health and thereby preventing and/or treating hair loss and protecting skin against UV radiation.

Modulation of Hair Growth Promoting Effect by Natural Products

“…TGF-β1 and its receptors are involved in the catagen phase of the hair cycle and promote tissue remodeling and apoptosis [67]. the level of β-catenin protein; inhibited IL4-induced STAT6 phosphorylation; increased hair count after using the hair tonic for 12 weeks [37] Red Ginseng Oil C57BL/6 mice SKH-1 hairless mice 50% 1% Induction of hair growth; upregulated expression of β-catenin, phospho-GSK3β, Lef-1, Gli-1, Smoothened, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E, IGF-1 and VEGF; protective effect against UVC-induced skin damage in SKH-1 hairless mice by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis [38] Thuja orientalis C57BL/6 mice 5.05 mg/cm 2 /day Induction of hair growth including hair number and size of hair follicles; induction of β-catenin and Shh protein expression [39] 3,4,5-tri-Ocaffeoylquinic acid…”

“…RGO remarkably increased the protein expression of β-catenin and LEF1 induced by testosterone and RGO co-treatment in dorsal skin tissues compared to treatment with testosterone alone [22]. RGO also enhanced β-catenin and phosphorylated GSK-3β protein expression in C57BL/6 mouse skin compared to that in the minoxidil-treated group [38]. Thuja orientalis (TO) is used to treat dermatitis, gout, and chronic tracheitis [147].…”

“…Various signaling pathways are involved in hair follicle development, such as Wnt, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), Notch, and ectodysplasin, and they exhibit signaling crosstalk with the hedgehog pathway [201]. RGO treatment upregulated Shh signaling-related expression of Shh, SMO, and GLI1 in testosterone-induced C57BL/6 mice [22] and in mouse skin [38]. TO treatment resulted in an increase in Shh expression [39].…”

“…The decrease in the protein level of Bcl-2 in testosterone-treated mice was reversed after treatment with RGO, LA, and SITOS [22]. Treatment with RGO after UVC exposure inhibited cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) expression in mouse skin tissues [38]. In addition, RGO treatment resulted in an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the UVC-treated group compared to that in the control group [38].…”

“…Treatment with RGO after UVC exposure inhibited cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) expression in mouse skin tissues [38]. In addition, RGO treatment resulted in an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the UVC-treated group compared to that in the control group [38]. Quercitrin administration resulted in a decrease in mRNA expression of Bad, although the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 increased after treatment of cultured hDPCs with 10 nM and 100 nM quercitrin [23].…”